The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 172

The unified voices of netizens quickly placed enormous pressure on the Hongsuo Research Institute.

Every day, their official social media account was bombarded with messages demanding the immediate relaunch of Luyinxu, urging them to correct their past mistakes, and insisting that Jiaketing be left with no room to survive.

The word “mistake” struck a particularly sensitive nerve at the Hongsuo Research Institute.

After all, it’s hard for anyone to admit they were wrong—especially a high-ranking organization. Moreover, the institute had its own grievances.

Back then, their decision to halt Luyinxu’s development had aligned with public sentiment. That “mistake” could not entirely be pinned on them.

For now, their social media team played dead, maintaining an eerie silence online.

But behind the scenes, chaos reigned. The institute was in complete disarray, nearing the boiling point.

The impact of this situation was enormous—no one had anticipated that within just two years, the tide could shift so dramatically.

Public sentiment, which had once vehemently demanded the termination of Luyinxu, now saw it as a beacon of hope. And this hope burned brighter and more fervent than it ever had, even before Luyinxu’s initial trials began.

This left the Hongsuo Research Institute in an extremely awkward position.

Jiang Weide, who was supposed to be teaching at A University, hadn’t shown up for class in days, as he was now constantly attending meetings at the institute.

Even Zhu Yan, the institute’s director, had rushed back from a wellness retreat in Linghe to take charge of the situation.

But Li Rong wasn’t about to let these frazzled old scientists off the hook. He still had one final card to play—a move he had previously held back, fearing it might alert his enemies too soon.

Now, the time had come.

Across the ocean.

Xu Wei received a phone call from Li Rong. As he answered, words flashed through his mind:

Unexpected, yet completely within reason.

He had already heard about the events unfolding back home, as the situation had caused quite a stir even in the country where he was currently teaching.

Li Qingli, Li Rong’s father, was a scientist of significant academic stature, recognized globally. His controversial hypothesis had been cited by numerous papers. Not only was the Hongsuo Research Institute working overtime to study it, but many international organizations were also conducting their own research.

Upon hearing that Li Qingli and Gu Nong’s innocence had been vindicated and that Luyinxu was being reconsidered, Xu Wei’s first reaction was relief.

The burden that had weighed on his heart for nearly two years seemed to crumble away silently. At last, he could forgive himself and stop his self-inflicted torment.

Yet at the same time, his feelings toward Li Rong were deeply complicated.

His career prospects in his home country had been ruined. Forced to seek a livelihood abroad, he blamed it all on Li Rong.

Back then, Li Rong had adamantly claimed him to be the one who organized and submitted his father’s hypothesis—a claim Xu Wei had dismissed as utterly preposterous.

But he had no way to refute it. Huang Baikang’s testimony aligned perfectly with Li Rong’s story, and no one would believe that a high school student could single-handedly submit a hypothesis of that caliber for publication.

From an outsider’s perspective, Xu Wei—a biochemistry professor and former beneficiary of Li Qingli’s mentorship—helping Li Rong would seem entirely logical.

The irony was that, despite how logical it appeared to others, Xu Wei knew he hadn’t helped Li Rong at all. Instead, he had inadvertently harmed him.

And so, even now, Xu Wei found it impossible to truly hate Li Rong.

In a detached tone, Xu Wei said, “We’ve never met, and I don’t know why you’re calling me. There’s a time difference here—it’s late, and I should be sleeping.”

Li Rong chuckled. “Professor Xu, do you really not know why I’m reaching out? Let’s not play games—we’re both intelligent people.”

Hearing this, Xu Wei immediately understood that Li Rong was likely connected to Suhe Biotech’s downfall as well.

If this were his first time witnessing Li Rong’s cunning, Xu Wei might not have believed that a mere college student could orchestrate such a meticulous plan.

But after everything he had experienced the previous year, he knew better.

This student was terrifying.

Li Rong had the ability to bide his time, seize opportunities, and effortlessly destroy reputations—even those as distinguished as Xu Wei’s.

Finally, Xu Wei asked the question that had been on his mind for so long—a question to which he already knew the answer. Taking a deep breath, he spoke heavily: “Your father’s hypothesis… you were the one who organized and submitted it, weren’t you?”

At this point, Li Rong saw no need to deny it. With a calm demeanor, he replied, “Of course. Who else could it have been?”

Xu Wei’s brows furrowed deeply, and his tone grew agitated. “That’s impossible! That hypothesis was…”

It was cutting-edge research from a Hongsuo Research Institute honorary professor. Even seasoned researchers might struggle to comprehend it fully, let alone consolidate fragmented ideas into a cohesive, logical hypothesis and navigate the rigorous peer-review process.

Even if the original notes were handed to Li Rong, along with thorough explanations of all the principles, getting the paper through peer review would have been an uphill battle.

Unless…

Unless Li Qingli had provided his son with a nearly complete manuscript and painstakingly explained every aspect of it.

Even then, convincing the reviewers would have been no easy feat.

Li Rong sneered. “Nothing is impossible—just like you never imagined my parents would one day be exonerated.”

Xu Wei fell silent.

Perhaps this level of brilliance was simply what one should expect from the offspring of Li Qingli and Gu Nong—a brilliance so dazzling it made others question their own career choices.

Glancing at the clock, Li Rong noted the 12-hour time difference. It was midnight for Xu Wei.

“Suhe Biotech has already collapsed,” Li Rong said. “Zheng Zhupan and the others involved have been sentenced. Now, tell me—what did you take from my house?”

Xu Wei remained silent for a long time. Just as Li Rong was about to press him further, Xu Wei finally spoke.

“Li Rong, that’s enough. You’ve done everything you could. You’ve already avenged your parents.”

Li Rong didn’t expect this response. He was stunned for a second before he quickly realized—Xu Wei had no connection to Suhe Biotech!

Xu Wei had destroyed his father’s manuscripts not under orders from Zheng Zhupan but for someone else. 

Now that Zheng Zhupan had fallen, Xu Wei had nothing to fear from naming names. Yet, he still refused to say a word, indicating he was still apprehensive.

The only reason he would still be wary was because the person he feared remained powerful and undefeated.

Two names flashed through Li Rong’s mind: Han Jiang and Zhu Yan…

Whoever had the authority to control Xu Wei and make him genuinely afraid must be of considerable status.

Li Rong pressed urgently, “Who is it? Who ordered you to destroy my father’s manuscripts?”

“Beep, beep, beep…”

Xu Wei hung up.

When Li Rong tried calling back, he realized he had been blocked. 

He didn’t switch numbers to persist, knowing that Xu Wei would remain tight-lipped for now and that there was little he could do from a distance.

Li Rong rubbed his face, closed his eyes, and began thinking.

From the start, he had suspected that multiple forces were involved in his parents’ downfall. 

Xu Wei clearly represented a second faction—one that didn’t care about Suhe Biotech’s survival but was determined to destroy his parents at the time.

Was it Han Jiang?

The logic didn’t quite connect yet.

Feeling frustrated, Li Rong closed his notebook with a snap and decided to stop overthinking.

Under the current pressure from public opinion, Hongsuo Research Institute would eventually agree to restart Luyinxu. When that happened, the second faction would undoubtedly reveal itself.

What he needed to know would come to light eventually. At this point, he no longer feared confrontation.

At least until Hongsuo made their decision, he could afford a brief respite.

While Hongsuo Research Institute found itself at the center of a storm, its rival Blue Pivot stayed eerily silent. Ever since District Six was disbanded, Blue Pivot had suffered a significant blow to its influence. Instead of seizing the opportunity to crush Hongsuo and expand its own influence, Blue Pivot acted as if it had cut all ties to the internet, staying completely uninvolved.

Aside from discreet support from Districts One and Three, the other districts kept their distance, avoiding trouble altogether. Even the overly ambitious President Hu Yuming of District Four refrained from taking advantage of Hongsuo’s predicament.

Han Jiang was already aware of Cen Xiao’s deep involvement in this matter. However, he didn’t confront Cen Xiao, nor did he criticize him for skipping his responsibilities in District Nine.

As for Liu Tanzhi, who controlled several media outlets, her accounts stayed dormant as though untouched by any orders. Instead, her team quietly deleted every article that had defamed Li Qingli years ago.

“This time, Liu Tanzhi didn’t get involved,” Li Rong said as he left his study and entered the kitchen. Leaning against the countertop, he grabbed a washed strawberry and popped it into his mouth.

“That confirms that District Nine really didn’t have any financial ties to Suhe Biotech. Han Jiang must have intervened back then for some other reason,” Cen Xiao replied, washing and peeling strawberries at the sink. He carefully removed the stems and placed them in a bowl.

Li Rong grabbed another strawberry from the bowl and chewed as he pondered aloud, “Honestly, I was prepared to immediately confront District Nine. I was ready to play the Jiang Zheng card and force Han Jiang to step down. But they didn’t move at all.”

Cen Xiao finished washing the strawberries and shook the water off his hands. “If they weren’t involved, that’s good. It’s easier to deal with them one by one than to face them all at once.”

Li Rong nodded in agreement, then remembered Lin Zhen. “By the way, Wajing Entertainment’s competitors aren’t holding back. After the program team recounted the votes, Lin Zhen became the top pick, and he’s already received several signing offers.”

Cen Xiao glanced at Li Rong’s lips, now reddened from the strawberry juice, and said softly, “It’s only natural. He’s now one of the most valuable stars out there. Of course, companies will want to snatch him up. Besides, no one’s naive enough to think a small, struggling actor could topple Wajing Entertainment on his own. Lin Zhen’s ability to cause such a stir proves he has strong backing. Businesspeople are sharp. This time around, Lin Zhen has Jian Fu as his trump card.”

Li Rong reflected for a moment.

In his previous life, Jian Fu had been a staunchly straight man who only had eyes for Western supermodels. At first, Li Rong even thought Cen Xiao had taken him home purely to humiliate him—something along the lines of “You were once my equal, but now you’re working off your debt under my roof,” a typical melodramatic trope.

Li Rong realized belatedly, “Wait, so Jian Fu didn’t get bent because of me?”

What a powerful butterfly effect—to even alter someone’s orientation.

After all, in his past life, Lin Zhen and Jian Fu had been classmates yet had no interaction whatsoever.

Cen Xiao’s eyelid twitched as he stuffed a strawberry into Li Rong’s mouth, displeased. “I’m the one who got bent because of you.”

Li Rong blinked, lightly biting the strawberry with his teeth and slowly drawing it into his mouth. His tongue lightly grazed his lower lip.

Cen Xiao’s gaze darkened. Provoked by the gesture, he leaned in, pursuing the soft warmth of Li Rong’s lips.

Li Rong’s lips were soft, damp, and carried the fragrance of strawberries. He responded passionately, wrapping his arms around Cen Xiao’s neck. With a slight pull, he hoisted himself onto the counter.

He’d already visualized the next move. His actions were deliberate, and he’d even rehearsed the scene in his head. The bed was old news—he had yet to try the kitchen.

Cen Xiao, fueled by Li Rong’s teasing, deepened the kiss. Li Rong wasn’t one to back down. His fingers slipped under Cen Xiao’s collar, tugging at the fabric, and his fingertips gently traced the curve of Cen Xiao’s collarbone.

As their skin grew warmer and flushed, their breathing grew heavy and uneven. Adults were straightforward and efficient—they took what they wanted without hesitation.

Li Rong’s lips burned with heat, his eyes glistening. He whispered breathlessly, “Hold me.”

Cen Xiao didn’t hesitate. With a firm grip, he lifted Li Rong by the legs and pinned him against the white, gardenia-patterned kitchen tiles.

The tension in the air reached its peak, and the storm was about to break loose.

Cen Xiao suddenly had a flash of insight and said, “Didn’t we book tickets for Universal Studios tomorrow?”

Li Rong paused slightly. “…”

To celebrate their recent milestone victory and take a brief break, they had booked tickets online, planning to spend a day enjoying themselves.

Rumor had it that Universal Studios was far more thrilling than Disneyland.

Cen Xiao’s gaze drifted downward as he examined Li Rong, his fingers pinching lightly at Li Rong’s leg. “If we… now… will you still be fine with roller coasters tomorrow?”

Li Rong: “…”

It was true—it would definitely have an impact. But admitting defeat now would be too embarrassing.

Li Rong lowered his head and bit onto his shirt collar, pulling his T-shirt up to his chest. Then he raised his eyes and shot Cen Xiao a suggestive look. “You still think you can hold back?”

Li Rong: “Hurry up. Do me!”

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